Planting zone for 16613 — Ashville, PA
ZIP code 16613 (Ashville, Cambria County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 21.
Where ZIP 16613 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
Was 5b on the 2012 map — a full zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Ashville, PA…
Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.
Frost dates in Ashville, PA
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around November 3.
From the NOAA station Altoona 3 W, PA — 4 miles away, elevation 1,319 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.
When to plant vegetables in 16613
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 21) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.
When spring arrived in 2026
In 2026, spring leaf-out near 16613 came on Mar 22 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).
Apr 82026
Mar 22
The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).
Native plants for zone 6b in Pennsylvania
605 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.
Trees 76
Shrubs 122
Wildflowers & perennials 209
Grasses 173
Vines 10
Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Ashville, PA.
Soil in Ashville, PA
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16613 is Hazleton — channery loam, well drained.
Map unit: Hazleton channery loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 16613; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Ashville, PA
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Altoona 3 W, PA (4 mi away); precipitation: Altoona 3 W, PA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
6 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 16613
What planting zone is ZIP code 16613?
ZIP code 16613 (Ashville, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).
When is the last frost in Ashville, PA?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16613 is April 25; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Altoona 3 W station.
When is the first frost in Ashville, PA?
The median first fall frost near 16613 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 16613?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 16613 get?
About 44.7 inches of precipitation a year and 38 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Altoona 3 W station).
How hot do summers get in Ashville, PA?
The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 16613 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Hazleton at the center of ZIP 16613: channery loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).
Did spring come early in Ashville, PA in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 16613 came on Mar 22 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Ashville, PA?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 16613 is 15 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 16613 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 16613 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.